HC issues guidelines for Ranthambore Park

Concerned over dwindling numbers of tigers, Rajasthan High Court on Friday issued guidelines for the protection of the big cats in Ranthambore National Park which included making Deputy Forest Conservator responsible for any poaching activities and banning industries in its vicinity.

The court also observed that the focus of the authorities has shifted from ensuring the safety of the endangered animal to a number of hugely-funded projects.

The court held that the phenomenal fall in the number of tigers was mainly because of the "vested interests" and that the authorities failed to find out "real fault and fix responsibilities".

Issuing the guidelines, Justice Ashok Parihar said Deputy Forest Conservator and Deputy Field-incharge should be made responsible for any poaching activity in the park in Sawai Madhopur district and banned industrial and commercial units in the vicinity of the facility.

The 400 sq km Park, a famous Tiger reserve, should be closed to tourists at least twice a week, the use flash in cameras and other photography equipments should be totally prohibited and vehicles must keep a distance of at least 30 yards from wild animals and 50 yards from cubs, he said.

"With the influx of huge amount in the projects sponsored by the Centre, World Wildlife Federation and other sources, all attention has been diverted to such funds instead of keeping a watch on the safety of the tigers and wildlife," Parihar observed.

"It was only because of creating vested interests that there has been phenomenal fall in the number of tigers and other wildlife," he added.